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A group of Indigenous leaders from Canada is highlighting priorities this week at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues taking place in New York.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald held a press conference Wednesday with four other Native leaders.
One of their top areas of concern – missing and murder Indigenous people.
Vice Chief of the Federation of Indigenous Sovereign Nations Aly Bear says society is targeting women, girls, and two-spirited+.
She says more needs to be done to protect them.
“We continue to see an increase of our Indigenous women being murdered especially the latest case, Linda Beardy, who was just recently found in a landfill. We are not trash we deserve to be valued. Traditionally, our women held high respect in our community. It’s that colonial violence, colonial mindset that came here and put us to the lowest of the hierarchy. Now we are regaining that power, regaining that leadership.”
Bear and the other leaders are calling on Canada to implement more than 200 recommendations made after a national investigation into missing and murdered Indigenous people.
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- Two-time Yup’ik Spelling Bee champ Alayna Pasrataar Canoe holds up her plaque that features a carving. (Photo: Rhonda McBride)
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- Sammy Canguayar Jackson III and Darrel Tuuya Owen from Akiak waiting for their turn.
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- Not quite tall enough to reach the podium, Megan Cakillar’ Carl of Akiak was one of the stand-outs at the Yup’ik Spelling Bee. She was in contention for third place but lost the tie-breaker. Her mom, Sheila Williams Carl, is sitting in the back row in the middle. She says her daughter is shy, but the spelling bee has given her more confidence.
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- Megan Cakillar’Carl’s mother says her daughter, a fourth grader from Akiak, has become more disciplined and determined to accomplish her goals, since she first took part in the Yup’ik spelling be last year. This year, Megan finished in the top third of the Yup’ik spellers.
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- 4th Grader Darrel Tuuya Owen from Akiak did not seem phased by the crowd. He spelled out his words in a loud, clear voice.
Yup’ik and Inupiaq students from the fourth to the eighth grades recently competed in a Native language spelling bee in downtown Anchorage, AK, as Rhonda McBride from our flagship station KNBA reports.
In the Yup’ik language, or Yugtun, Cingssiik is the word for “Little People,” elf-like creatures, who wear cone-shaped hats that look like fish traps.
Tiernan Maqaruaq Ignatius from Nunam Iqua spells the word, C-I-N-G-S-S-I- I-K. Rebecca Atchak, Judge & Coach for Stebbins: Assirtuq.
Assirtuq means, “Good. You got it right.” And Nunam Iqua’s team heard that word a lot. It swept all three top spots.
Alayna Canoe, an eighth grader, took home the first place Yup’ik spelling trophy.
“It feels good, winning,” said Alayna.
Winning for the second year in a row. Her coach and Yup’ik teacher, Savanna Strongheart said the news made her feel a little dizzy.
“I’m so excited. My goal was ever since I started was to get one, two, three — and this year I have one, two, three. So, I’m like all excited and I want to scream. So, oh my goodness.”
The spelling bee came full circle this year for many who have been involved in since its beginning twelve years ago.
One of the students, Casey Jack, who took second place that very first spelling bee, returned as a guest speaker.
“There’s so many opportunities these days for Natives teaching their Native language and Culture.”
Twelve years ago, Casey Jack was an 8th Grader, who represented the tiny Bering Sea village of Stebbins.
Today, he’s an adjunct professor of Yup’ik language at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and credits the spelling bee for sparking his passion for his Native language.
“One of the defining moments I would say.”
While the Yup’ik spelling bee had four schools involved, there was only one team for the Inupiaq language. Cameron Tocktoo of Brevig Mission took first place.
Casey Jack applauded the school’s efforts. He says he knows from personal experience how small steps can take you a long way.
Photo courtesy: @NYOAlaska Facebook
Meanwhile, in Anchorage, Thursday is a big day for Native athletes who have come from around Alaska to take part in the 2023 Native Youth Olympic games.
The first day features three competitions – the Kneel Jump, the Wrist Carry and the Alaskan High Kick.
The games showcase traditional Native survival skills and promote physical endurance in the wilderness.
The games continue through Saturday, and also include a blanket toss and results from a Pilot Bread recipe contest.
The games are hosted by Cook Inlet Tribal Council.
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